Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2 loses its director

The planned sequel to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is now without a director after Tommy Wirkola left the project.

Wirkola, who directed the original movie, was attached to do the sequel, but has now had a change of heart.

He told Fangoria: "I’ve just decided to not direct Hansel & Gretel 2. I have been lately attached to a few more things, it’s just a matter of time and priorities. I did Dead Snow 1, then Hansel & Gretel 1, and then Dead Snow 2. I want to do something a little bit different now and not just do sequels. I did write the script and I hope to be involved in it. But yeah, I won’t be directing it.”

Paramount Studios have been developing the sequel since March of last year following the moderate success of the first film.

Earlier this year, Jeremy Renner, who co-starred alongside Gemma Arterton in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, confirmed that while he is not attached to any potential sequel, he would be open to the possibility of returning for the sequel.